Barham told police he was unaware it was illegal to keep the pig as a pet and pleaded guilty in court to "keeping a declared pest".

His solicitor Trevor May (Chris Sheath and Associates) told the court his client had no previous offences and was remorseful.

His client was particularly sorry for his children who had come home from school that day to find their pet pig had been killed, Mr May said.

Magistrate Bruce Schemioneck asked Sgt Kroon why the police hadn't given the family time to apply for a declared pest certificate before shooting the animal but Sgt Kroon said the prosecution had no such instructions.

Mr Schemioneck ordered no conviction be recorded and fined Barham $400.